Way back on Dec. 11, 2007 – 13 years ago today – The B-Town Blog was born unto this world when we posted our very first story.
(we just became a rebellious teenager though, so you’d best look out or we’ll turn you into a meme!)
Since then, we have published tens of thousands of original stories – of local news, politics, crime, arts, events, photos, videos and more recently, on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – for Burien.
We have also enjoyed helping numerous local community non-profit organizations by providing our marketing skills for fundraisers and news at no cost.
Our homegrown, family-run, totally independent website has amazing reach, as it’s considered by 71% of residents as their main source of information, according to a 2018 survey by the City of Burien:
First started as a hobby by Burien resident and multiple award-winning TV Writer/Director/Producer Scott Schaefer (“Almost Live!” “Bill Nye the Science Guy” “The Arsenio Hall Show” “Penn & Teller:Bullsh*t!” The Maury Island Incident film and many others), the blog began after an online search in 2007 for things to do in Burien for his family resulted in zero results.
Inspired by the early success of a few other “local blogs” around the Seattle area, as well as a love for the community, Schaefer decided to start one for Burien. He adopted the nickname “B-Town” from an ice cream shop in Olde Burien called “B-Town Scoop,” and within a few months, traffic started to explode. Schaefer consulted with Zev Siegl (one of the original founders of Starbucks) at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Highline College, as well as with business Mentor and friend Larry Coffman of Marketing NW Magazine.
Both encouraged him to drop everything else and turn his little “hobby” into a full-time business.
Soon, the incredibly talented Michael Brunk came on board and helped design and code the website, as well as share amazing photos he had taken around town.
Old college pal Todd Christensen and wife Wendy Quesinberry of Quesinberry Design helped with artwork and logos.
Then, the amazing Janet Grella joined as Sales Manager, and The B-Town Blogolution was underway. We soon had dozens of paid Advertisers and were able to eke out a living! (R.I.P. Janet)
In 2012, Scott’s wife Theresa joined the team as Sales Manager, and she and Scott now work full-time as the “Mom and Pop” internet publishing company South King Media, a family-run, totally independent local network of seven news/events websites for an area spanning from White Center to Kent. They are joined by experienced Journalist Jack Mayne, as well as Sales Rep Dona Ozier, Columnist Dayna Mason, Photographer Elston Hill, Shelli Park, Greg Wright, Mark Neuman, along with assorted other contributors.
In May, 2020, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) honored The B-Town Blog with a First-Place ‘General Excellence’ Award for small publications over a five state area for 2019.
Judges narrowed roughly 1,300 entries down to 250 winners, recognizing reporters, photographers, designers, editors and more throughout the region, which includes five states – Washington and Oregon, as well as Alaska, Idaho and Montana.
This is the third top prize the SPJ has awarded The B-Town Blog over its 12+ year history.
In conclusion, we’d like to thank YOU, our Readers – it has been a joy to serve up local news, politics, events, arts, videos and more for such a great community – for 13 years (with many more to come!).
We’d also like to make a special shoutout to all our Advertisers who support our mission – without you, we wouldn’t be here!
If you’re interested in Advertising and reaching our engaged local Readers, please email Theresa Schaefer at vtheresa@comcast.net, or call our office at (206) 248-2565.
Also, be sure to “Like” our Facebook page here, and subscribe to our free 6 p.m. Daily Digest email newsletter here.
AND…If you appreciate our award-winning independent local journalism:
